Kevin Harvick, a former NASCAR Cup Series champion, has voiced strong criticism of NASCAR’s latest efforts to develop a fairer championship system, raising doubts over whether true fairness is achievable for all teams. During a recent appearance on the Happy Hour podcast carried by FOX Sports, Harvick highlighted concerns about the governing body’s push to overhaul the championship format, directly addressing the ongoing debate around the Kevin Harvick NASCAR championship format.
NASCAR has announced intentions to eliminate the current winner-take-all structure in its championship, eyeing a fresh approach for the upcoming season that better recognizes consistent performance throughout the year. While the sport is considering a multi-race finale to decrease the impact of a single unpredictable outcome, officials have not yet confirmed which specific format will be adopted for the next year.
Harvick Questions Whether True Fairness Is Possible in NASCAR
Harvick, who raced with Stewart-Haas Racing before retiring from full-time competition, argued that efforts to create a level playing field since the introduction of the NextGen car have inadvertently undermined the dominance of top teams, leading to a greater variety of race winners but diminishing the presence of repeat stars. He suggested that NASCAR’s attempts to support smaller or less-resourced teams have come at the cost of consistency among historically strong teams, with the overall result being fewer standout personalities on the track.
The debate over fairness in the championship format was underscored by Harvick’s view that the very premise is flawed, citing powerhouse organizations such as Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports as perpetual leaders. Harvick explained that the structure of the sport will always create disparities between well-funded squads and those with limited resources, and that any format changes are unlikely to fully resolve this.
“The good teams are rising back to the top, and you can see it in the stats. I think there’s a lot of team drivers who won races this year; that is the fewest since 2020. My point there is, the good teams are starting to get the good people and the details. All of a sudden, it’s migrated back to how it was anyway. Let the star be the star. Let the guys that will dominate, let them dominate.”
– Kevin Harvick, Former Cup Series Champion
“This isn’t you can’t make this so that it’s fair for Rick Ware Racing compared to Rick Hendrick. Right? Like, it’s never gonna be fair. It’s not gonna be the same. And the more you try to water that down, I think that is how we got to where we are—trying to make it so it was more even for everybody. It is never going to be even. The good teams are always going to be good teams,”
Kevin Harvick concluded.
Recent Playoffs Showcase Organizational Dominance
Recent results support Harvick’s argument. Joe Gibbs Racing stood out in the 2025 postseason, as drivers like Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Christopher Bell captured all three victories in the Round of 16. The organization also won two races in the Round of Eight and managed to place two of its contenders in the decisive Championship 4 race, matched by two entries from Hendrick Motorsports. This playoff performance highlights the persistent advantage that major teams hold even as NASCAR moves to refine its championship system.
Harvick’s Perspective on What Makes a Track Stand Out
In an earlier episode of the Happy Hour podcast, Harvick also shared candid thoughts on which features elevate a racetrack. The 2014 champion emphasized that seeking a perfect facility is a futile endeavor; what matters is creating a track layout that supports multiple racing lines yet preserves the intensity that fans crave. According to Harvick, tracks that let drivers battle closely and reward skill without eliminating the challenge are essential for the sport’s excitement.
He recalled the challenging nature of the old Bristol Motor Speedway, which forced competitors to rely on the inside lane to make passes—creating memorable moments for fans. While today’s tracks tend to offer multiple lanes and more opportunities for overtaking, Harvick believes there’s still value in retaining traces of old-school spectacle and difficulty on modern circuits.
“What makes it exciting compared to what makes it racy are two different things and I think that you want a racetrack that’s got a couple of grooves but doesn’t take the spectacle out of it of being able to not have to rub on somebody’s door.”
– Kevin Harvick, Former Cup Series Champion
Significance of the Format Debate and What’s Ahead
Harvick concluded his remarks on racetracks by citing North Wilkesboro Speedway as a prime example of a course that combines the best aspects of both tradition and competition. The short track, measuring just over half a mile, allows drivers to utilize the inside lane and still engage in physical battles, exemplified by Christopher Bell’s recent NASCAR All-Star Race victory there for Joe Gibbs Racing.
The continuing conversation about the Kevin Harvick NASCAR championship format reveals the inherent tension between providing equal opportunity and rewarding superiority. Prominent teams like Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports continue to excel, demonstrating that organizational excellence remains central to NASCAR, regardless of structural modifications. As NASCAR prepares to unveil its new approach to crowning the next Cup Series champion, stakeholders across the sport—inclusive of drivers, owners, and dedicated fans—will closely watch whether a revised format can deliver both fairness and star-driven excitement in equal measure.
"Let the stars be the stars." As NASCAR looks to change the championship format, @KevinHarvick says the days of trying to make things fair for everyone are over. pic.twitter.com/MjlttOjWQd
— HarvickHappyHour (@HarvickHappyPod) November 4, 2025
